|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Organizations Must Think, Communicate and Act Differently to Survive!
| Guest post by: Roger Ingbretsen |
Article Overview: Grudgingly or simply out of habit it appears that most organizations try to react to their ever-changing complex environment using linear industrial age thinking. This normally means trying to make the organization a smooth running machine. Get the systems, processes and incentives right, get the strategic plan, policies and job descriptions in place, get the financials in order – and everything will be just fine. This may have worked in the past, but it is a formula for failure in our present and future chaotic economic environment.
 |
Free Download - Stay Employed In A Down Economy By Roger Ingbretsen |
Organizations Must Think, Communicate and Act Differently to Survive!
Grudgingly or simply out of
habit it appears that most organizations try to react to their ever-changing
complex environment using linear industrial age thinking. This normally means trying to make the
organization a smooth running machine.
Get the systems, processes and incentives right, get the strategic plan,
policies and job descriptions in place, get the financials in order – and
everything will be just fine. This may
have worked in the past, but it is a formula for failure in our present and
future chaotic economic environment.
Typically, management tries
to fix a part or parts of the organization, thinking all will be well. Often parts are fixed and not even
communicated to the rest of the organization.
When you don’t give people information they make up their own. When a top-down hierarchical process, through
decisions developed behind closed doors is the only means used to drive
significant change, people don’t feel included, empowered, confident or
inspired. Doubt will be present, rumors
will be spread and people will be highly anxious about what they already
perceive to be an already uncertain future.
People are left wondering what was done, why was it done and puzzled at
the fact they were not asked if the change was expected to have any affect on
their piece of the action. A good
example at the national governmental organizational level is the healthcare
debacle.
It is almost impossible to make
change happen unless people understand what’s going on and how they will be
impacted by the change in a positive manner.
Most if not all of the time when a part of the organization is “fixed”
it has a ripple effect on other parts of the organization creating new problems
elsewhere. Also, the tendency of most
organizations is to use only their existing strengths to fix problems and then
quickly seek the comfort of stability.
However, one of two situations normally occurs. Either the organizations is so tightly structured
that it can’t react or it is so chaotic that it can’t react. Typically the next move is to call an outside
consultant.
Because of this use of old
thinking to deal with new problems I believe many organizations are at the
critical crossroads of determining and understanding how they will work
successfully in the future. It appears
the major roadblock to accepting or understanding the new paradigm, is that
organizations and their collective people do not truly understand the internal
and external environments in the information age. It is as if the organization is trapped in a
twilight zone. The new way of organizing
for the future has not unfolded and in most instances can barely be discerned
and yet the past way of organizing is for the most part not working very
well.
Many people and organizations feel trapped in uncertainty
between the old linear world and the new world of chaos. Partly to blame for this condition is the
fact that collectively we fail to remove the filters that screen out reality. Most organizations not wanting to face
reality continue to cling to for example, the rigid structure of the
organizational chart. They believe that if they simply rearrange the chart that
will foster increased productivity, redirect responsibility and improve the
financial picture. The organization needs
to focus on what employees do instead
of where on the organization chart
they do it.”
It seems as if we are continually searching for the one right
organization, the silver bullet organization.
We want quick solutions to today’s problems not stopping to realize that
most often, today’s solutions become tomorrow’s problems. We fail to realize that there are no quick
fixes to complex problems. The truth is,
the complex problems will continue, and a rigid or traditional organizational
structure won’t fix it. The ultimate
Swiss army knife that claims to do everything does not exist when it comes to
an answer for organizational operation and structure. There are no panaceas. What must be done however is continually
search for new ways of doing both old and new things.
Einstein said that no
problem could be solved from the same consciousness that created it. This says to me, you must step out of what
you are currently thinking and doing in order to see things with a fresh
image. The quintessential act of
organizational change or rethinking leadership of an organization is the act of
changing our minds and hearts, or more to the point, changing the mind and
heart of the leader and of each member of the organization. When I step back, I see that now and in the
future a winning strategy will require the generation and sharing of great
amounts of knowledge from both inside and outside the organization. The essential “substance” of the
organizational enterprise will be human thought, influenced by a totally shared
information flow. Knowledge is power and
shared knowledge is power multiplied.
Leaders need to develop a high degree of
appreciation for the intangible knowledge captive in the minds and experiences
of those they lead. The essence of
knowledge sharing is open and honest communication. Communication is the key, because it is
involved in all human relations. Communication
is the nervous system of any organized group of people. When communication does
not take place the organization can and most often does suffer a breakdown. Now and in the future, the creative use of
information will be the load-bearing structure of the organization.
Passionate communication by the leader is
important because it persuades. Success
will be measured on how extensive the organization's communication and
information networks have permeated the very heart and soul of the organization
and its individual people. People will not make sacrifices unless they think
the potential benefits of change are attractive and unless they really believe
that transformation to a new level is possible.
Without credible communication, and a lot of it…employees’ hearts and
minds are almost never captured.
Dr. Martin Luther King and Apple
Effective Communication in the Workplace
Entrepreneur Mindset for Business Success
Persuasion at All Levels
Putting Life in Vision Statement
Speak Everywhere
Communication A.P.P.E.A.L.
TAKE, SHAKE OR BREAK
Downsizing - Some best practices
Stewarding Energy
Create Leaders for Business Sustainability
Five Team Building Secrets to Gaining Credibility with Your Team for Outstanding Results
Recognizing Uncertainty
Falling Off the Economic Cliff
4 Building Blocks of an Effective Talent Management System
So You Think You’re Different?
Wealth Education, How to learn what is not taught in school.
Tips to Improve Your Business Communication Skills
Setbacks in Network Marketing
Small Business Survival Tips For THIS Economy
|
About the Author: Roger Ingbretsen RSS for Roger's articles - Visit Roger's website Roger is a member of the International Coaching Federation. Additionally, he has completed many professional training programs attaining numerous certifications, a few of which include: The Harvard Law School “win-win” negotiation process, the Center for Creative Leadership “360-Degree Feedback” evaluation process and “Coach the Coach” program, the Zenger Miller “Team Training Certification Seminar” and “Executive Coaching” practices from the Professional School of Psychology, California. He is also a qualified administrator of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality inventory.
Click here to visit Roger's website   How to be a Successful Project Team Leader Building an Innovation Strategy Those With the Best Talent Win US Education Beyond the Tipping Point On the Way to Oblivion Problem Employee Attack the Behavior Not the Person |
Related Forum Posts
Accessing the Canadian Market
- Leo, an idea that came to mind is try to align yourself with Hispanic Organizations in Canada. This will build your credibility within communities and get more referrals.
Not sure if you plan on being based in Canada or operate your business from Columbia but either way being in the web development arena allows you to work from anywhere.
You can also search for opportunities originating from Canada thru elance.com, getafreelancer.com, freelance.com or rentacoder.com
Can you tell me about 80/20 Sales Rule?
- I’ve a situation like this. I get 80% of my business from 20% of my customers, shouldn't I work harder on the 20%?
Communicate at least 4 times a year?
Special offers/vip sales?
Unexpected free gifts?
And if the other rule says I'm going to lose 20% of my customers every year (hopefully through no fault of my own), won't some of them my from my treasured 20% list?
Maybe I should work to move some of the 80% to the 20% so I can afford the loss?
The 80/20 Rule
- If the rule says I should get 80% of my business from 20% of my customers, shouldn't I work harder on the 20%?
Communicate at least 4 times a year?
Special offers/vip sales?
Unexpected free gifts?
And if the other rule says I'm going to lose 20% of my customers every year (hopefully through no fault of my own), won't some of them my from my treasured 20% list?
Maybe I should work to move some of the 80% to the 20% so I can afford the loss?
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
by: 
Build Your List with Joint Venture Giveaway Events
May 2012 Top 100 Social Media Experts to Follow on Twitter
What to measure to be phenomenally successful in business
10 mistakes of media relations
Making Money Blogging Can Be Tons Of Fun 
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Emotional Energy is Our Engine
Winning Market Share in a Tough Economy
Pay Per Click Advertising
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.